A massive bridge in southwest China collapsed into a river just months after its opening, raising concerns about infrastructure safety in the region.
A significant bridge at a hydropower station in Sichuan Province, China, collapsed on Tuesday, sending debris of concrete and steel into the river below. This incident occurred just months after the bridge was opened to traffic, according to reports from Chinese state media.
An official from Barkam County confirmed the collapse to the state-run Global Times, stating that, fortunately, no casualties had been reported. The bridge, known as the Hongqi Bridge, had shown signs of distress just a day prior, with cracks detected on its road surface and slope. This prompted local authorities to impose temporary traffic controls to ensure public safety.
Dramatic footage shared on Chinese social media captured the moment the bridge buckled and fell, creating a massive cloud of dust as it plunged into the river. The incident took place around 3 p.m. local time, near the G317 national highway, a crucial route connecting central China to Tibet.
Local transportation and public security bureaus reported that the right-bank slope of the bridge exhibited signs of deformation on Monday afternoon, just hours before the collapse. In response, authorities quickly shut down the bridge to all traffic and issued a public notice warning of potential safety risks.
The Hongqi Bridge was located in the mountainous Maerkang area of Sichuan Province and was completed earlier this year as part of the G317 national highway project. This bridge, measuring 758 meters in length and standing approximately 625 meters above the gorge floor, was designed as a cantilevered two-lane beam bridge, with piers reaching heights of up to 172 meters. It was constructed by the state-backed Sichuan Road & Bridge Group as part of a broader initiative to enhance access to the Tibetan Plateau.
The bridge was intended to symbolize China’s ambitions in infrastructure development and was part of a government effort to improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth across the rugged terrain of western China. However, its collapse marks a troubling chapter for what was meant to be a showcase of the country’s engineering capabilities.
As investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway, state-run outlets have yet to provide a definitive explanation. Early assessments suggest that geological instability may have contributed to the incident. Officials confirmed that no vehicles or pedestrians were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, mitigating the potential for casualties.
The Hongqi Bridge’s brief operational history raises significant concerns regarding the safety and reliability of infrastructure projects in the region, especially given the government’s push for rapid development in challenging environments.
As the situation unfolds, further updates are expected from local authorities and state media regarding the investigation and any measures that may be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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